Tolerance, Dependence and Addiction: Alcoholism Quiz

Evidence we made, consumed and even worshiped alcohol goes far back in our human history, as does evidence we misused it. Today, one in every 12 adults in the U.S. is dependent on or abuses alcohol, which doesn't include several millions more who are developing risky behaviors. Test how much you know about our complicated relationship with alcohol.

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Question 1 of 30

Which was once tried as a cure for excessive drinking?

daily injections of strychnine

drinking in front of mirrors

the addition of a live eel to drinks

the addition of powdered pork to drinks

all of these

All of these were once tried as a cure for risky alcohol behaviors.

Question 2 of 30

True or false: People who have a problem with alcohol are of dubious moral character and weak-willed.

true

false

That's false. This myth, though, was a widely circulated "fact" in the 18th century.

Question 3 of 30

Who was the first to propose a chronic drinking problem was a disease, not a character flaw?

Benjamin Rush

Founding father and doctor Benjamin Rush pioneered the idea that alcohol could cause physical dependence.

Leslie Keeley

Mary Mann

Question 4 of 30

Which has the highest percent of alcohol content?

12 ounces of beer (355 milliliters)

5 ounces of wine

1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor

1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor has a 40 percent alcohol content, which is more than 5 ounces of wine (12 percent) and more than 12 ounces of beer (5 percent).

Question 5 of 30

How many drinks do you have to drink in a single day to be considered at risk or a "heavy" drinker?

for men, more than three; for women, more than two

for men, more than four; for women, more than three

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), men who drink more than four drinks in a single day and women who drink more than three drinks in a single day are at risk.

for men, more than five; for women, more than four

Question 6 of 30

What does "moderate" drinking mean for men?

one drink per day

one drink per week

two drinks per day

According to the NIAAA, moderate drinking for men means no more than two drinks a day.

two drinks per week

Question 7 of 30

What does "moderate drinking" mean for women?

one drink per day

According to the NIAAA, moderate drinking for women means no more than one drink a day.

one drink per week

two drinks per day

two drinks per week

Question 8 of 30

True or false: Drinking one drink every day for seven days is no better or worse than drinking seven drinks in one day and abstaining the rest of the week?

true

false

Although it averages out to the same amount of alcohol consumed in a week, drinking all seven drinks is one day is unhealthy behavior with negative health affects.

Question 9 of 30

Is alcohol abuse considered a mental health problem?

yes

It appears as a psychological disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

no

Question 10 of 30

What disorder is alcoholism considered part of?

alcohol use disorder

Alcoholism and alcohol dependence are considered alcohol use disorders (AUDs).

addiction disorder

binge drinking disorder

Question 11 of 30

How many Americans misuse alcohol in a given year?

14 percent

Over the span of a year, about 14 percent of Americans, which is more than 32 million people, will have a drinking problem.

30 percent

31 percent

Question 12 of 30

What does it mean to become tolerant to alcohol?

It takes less alcohol to get the same desired effects.

It takes more alcohol to get the same desired effects.

When a person needs to drink more alcohol to get the same effect as they used to, that person has developed alcohol tolerance.

If you stop drinking you'll have withdrawal symptoms.

Question 13 of 30

What may trigger late-onset AUD?

beginning drinking at an early age

a high tolerance for alcohol

a life-changing event

A life-changing event, such as retirement, illness or an empty nest, may trigger late-onset AUD.

Question 14 of 30

What is the CAGE test used for?

screening the body's ability to tolerate alcohol

screening for alcohol misuse

CAGE is a screening test that can help identify if you have an issue with alcohol.

screening for diseases with symptoms that resemble alcoholism

Question 15 of 30

Having your first drink before what age is linked to developing alcohol use disorders later in life?

12 years old

15 years old

People who have their first drink before age 15 have a higher risk of developing problems with alcohol in adulthood than those whose first drink came later.

18 years old

Question 16 of 30

Why do some people experience flushing, a racing heart and hangover symptoms after light-to-moderate drinking?

too much acetaldehyde build-up in the body

Because of an inefficient enzyme, some bodies let too much acetaldehyde — a toxic metabolite of ethanol — build up, which causes hangoverlike symptoms.

too much ethanol build-up in the body

too much cytochrome build-up in the body

Question 17 of 30

True or false: There is a connection between your eye color and risk of alcohol addiction.

true

While the connection needs additional research, results of genetic analysis confirm significant links between genetic sequences responsible for eye color and those we associate with a greater risk for alcohol addiction.

false

Question 18 of 30

Do light-colored or dark-colored eyes have the lowest prevalence of alcohol addiction?

light

dark

The rate of people with light-colored eyes diagnosed with alcohol addiction is 54 percent higher than that of dark-eyed individuals.

This doesn't make a difference.

Question 19 of 30

What eye color has the highest prevalence of alcohol addiction?

blue

Research finds people with blue eyes are about 80 percent more likely to be diagnosed with alcohol addiction than other eye colors.

gray

green

light brown

Question 20 of 30

How much more likely is a child to develop the disorder with an alcoholic parent than one without an alcoholic parent?

twice as likely

four times as likely

The children of a parent with an alcohol use disorder are four times more likely to also have symptoms of an AUD.

There is no genetic link.

Question 21 of 30

How many people with alcohol addition are considered "high-functioning alcoholics"?

2 percent

20 percent

As many as 20 percent of alcoholics are highly functional.

22 percent

Question 22 of 30

What is the classic characteristic of a high-functioning alcoholic?

a person addicted to alcohol but has a fast alcohol metabolism

a person who is alcohol tolerant but not alcohol dependent

a person is able to maintain the appearance of success while alcohol dependent

Functional alcoholics may deny their addiction and are able to maintain the appearance that nothing is wrong.

Question 23 of 30

True or false: Rosacea is caused by alcohol abuse.

true

false

While drinking a small amount of alcohol may trigger a flare-up, alcohol is not the cause of rosacea.